D'UNE ÎLE À L'AUTRE

In 1953, following the numerous representations made by Dr. Armando Cândido, Deputy of the Ponta Delgada District, the Portuguese Government adopted a very special measure to alleviate the Azorean difficult and even urgent economic situation. Furthermore, the important measure was specially designed to help the people living in the archipelago most populous island, São Miguel. The measure added 800 Micaelenses to the 1954 Canadian immigration quotas. A total of 950 Azoreans would be able to emigrate that year. The measure is quite unique. Citizens from Madeira and mainland Portugal which had their own economic problems were blocked that year. They could not apply. The important measure was announced in all local media including the Correio dos Açores daily on October 28, 1953.

 

As a result of this measure, 1954 was really the Micaelense year of the first wave of Portuguese immigration to Canada. On March 22, the first group left the Molhe Salazar pier in Ponta Delgada aboard the Homeland ship. 330 men left that day, 276 from São Miguel and 54 from other islands. 89 were married and 241 were singles.

 

On April 23, 450 more left aboard the Homeland again, all from São Miguel. This was the largest group of Azoreans of this immigration wave. 

 

Finally, on April 27, another 171 immigrants from São Miguel left to Canada aboard the Nea Hellas.